Philadelphia Historic District partners reveal ’52 Weeks of Firsts’ list for 2026

Prepare to learn about Philly firsts next year Fifty-two of them to be precise The Philadelphia Historic District Partners unveiled the schedule for its Weeks of Firsts celebrations next year a list of Philadelphia-born innovations that will be spotlighted throughout the nation s th birthday celebrations This celebration happens during America s th birthday but at its heart it s a Philadelphia story Vince Stango CEO of the National Constitution Center and co-chair of the Philadelphia Historic District th Committee revealed at the unveiling on Thursday It s about our city our neighborhoods and the people who have shaped this place into something truly extraordinary It s a reflection of the richness diversity and creativity that make Philadelphia who we are and it s a celebration of civic pride honoring both our history and the innovation that continues to define us in the modern day The list of weeks and events is as follows The first hot air balloon flight The first folk parade The first volunteer fire company The first professional basketball league The first population Girl Scout cookie sale The first African Methodist Episcopal congregation The first abolitionist society in America The first authentic Chinese gate built in America The first masses protest against slavery in America The first flower show The first women s diagnostic college The first match folder The first physiological school in America The first botanical garden The first circus performance in America The first stadium in America The first postmaster The first American-made piano and sousaphone and The first Mother s Day The first hospital in America The first World s Fair on American soil The first steamboat for passengers and freight The first American flag The first U S Army The first Annual Reminder demonstration The first paper maker in America The First Bank of the United States The first organized baseball unit The first ice cream soda October The first American art school The first pencil with an attached eraser The first zoo in America The first U S Mint The first selfie The first Slinky The first signing of the Constitution The First Continental Congress The first naming of the United States The first Ronald McDonald House The first penitentiary in America The First Peoples The first U S Navy and Marine Corps The first populace showing of a motion picture The first modern detective story written The first Thanksgiving Day parade in America The first university in America The first children s hospital in America The first electronic computer The first weather bureau The first scientific society of natural history The first residents lending library in America Philly food firsts Cheesesteaks s water ice and bubble gum More details about each first along with details about the locations and events for the celebrations are available at Visit Philly s website The mummers band played for the crowd to open and conclude the press conference Ben Benett Billy Penn The final list was a compilation of what the committee initially came up with along with suggestions submitted by Philly residents and visitors Amy Needle CEO of Historic Philadelphia Inc and th committee co-chair explained that the event series also offers a way for smaller Philly groups to be showcased in the city s Semiquincentennial celebrations It s really exciting because it s a way for organizations like the Fire Museum or the Mummers Museum or Bartram s Gardens to tie into a citywide celebration at a time where maybe they weren t sure or how to do that she reported So this is getting so numerous smaller organizations and larger organizations too to all work together and tie in to make it a real Philadelphia celebration Various Philly-born first refreshments were available to try including ice cream soda from The Franklin Fountain Ben Benett Billy Penn Each first will be kicked off with a Firstival ceremony free society events every Saturday next year from a m to p m Each event will introduce and celebrate the topic through entertainment and sessions music giveaways and storytelling by Historic Philadelphia Inc s Once Upon a Nation historical experts Certain firstivals will be more thoughtful and meaningful and specific will be downright zany and celebratory Needle commented We want these Saturday firstivals to be an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore our city and understand all the amazing history and innovation that is everywhere around us Samantha Ricchiuti a Once Upon A Nation Storyteller recounts the tale of the first hot air balloon in Philadelphia Ben Benett Billy Penn Accompanying the celebrations will be sculptures placed around the city each designed and hand-painted by local artists through Mural Arts Philadelphia The sculptures will also serve as a point for upcoming photo contests the organizers stated This is a celebration that reminds us just how inventive and bold and creative Philadelphia dependably has been It is why I truly love this city explained Jane Golden founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia A group of mummers watch Jane Golden Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia explain the organization s role in creating the Sculptures that will be displayed around the city Ben Benett Billy Penn The Philadelphia Historic District th Committee is a partnership of museums and cultural institutions including the Betsy Ross House the African American Museum in Philadelphia the Museum of the American Revolution and Old City District The first first week celebrating the city as the launch site of the country s first hot air balloon back in begins on Saturday Jan at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia A group photo of members from the over organizations involved in creating Weeks of Firsts Ben Benett Billy Penn The post Philadelphia Historic District partners reveal Weeks of Firsts list for appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY